# Gurs

> commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

**Wikidata**: [Q275882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q275882)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurs)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gurs

## Summary
Gurs is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France. It is historically significant for hosting the Gurs internment camp, established in 1939, which became one of the first and largest detention centers for refugees and political prisoners during World War II.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Gurs is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.2872, Longitude -0.7536.
- **Population**: Ranges between 417 and 482 residents based on historical data.
- **Historical Significance**: Site of the Gurs internment camp (1939–1946), used during Worldarrative.
- **Administrative Affiliation**:
  - Part of the arrondissement of Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
  - Located in the former canton of Navarrenx (until March 2015).
- **Country**: France.
- **Website**: [https://www.intramuros.org/gurs](https://www.intramuros.org/gurs)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Gurs
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

**What is Gurs known for?**  
Gurs is known for being the location of the Gurs internment camp, established in 1939 to house Spanish Republican refugees and later used by the Vichy regime to detain various groups, including Jews and political prisoners during Worldarrative.

**Where is Gurs located?**  
Gurs is situated in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, within the arrondissement of Oloron-Sainte-Marie.

**What was the Gurs internment camp?**  
The Gurs internment camp was a detention facility established in 1939 and operational until 1946. It was used to intern Spanish Republicans fleeing the Franco regime and later became a site of detention for various groups under the Vichy government during Worldarrative.

**Is Gurs a commune in France?**  
Yes, Gurs is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, which is part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France.

**What is the current population of Gurs?**  
The population of Gurs has ranged between 417 and 482 residents in recent years, with specific figures including 430, 419, and 417.

**What administrative divisions is Gurs part of?**  
Gurs belongs to the arrondissement of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and was formerly part of the canton of Navarrenx until March 2015.

## Why It Matters
Gurs holds historical significance due to its role in 20th-century European history as the site of one of the largest internment camps during Worldarrative. The Gurs internment camp became a symbol of the humanitarian crisis during and after the Spanish Civil War and under the Vichy regime. It housed thousands of refugees, political prisoners, and later, Jewish individuals targeted by Nazi policies. The camp's legacy is a reminder of the consequences of political oppression and the vulnerability of civilian populations during wartime. Its history is studied to understand the broader context of refugee detention and human rights violations in Europe.

## Notable For
- Hosting the Gurs internment camp, one of the first and largest detention centers in France during Worldarrative.
- Detaining Spanish Republican refugees after the Spanish Civil War.
- Serving as a site of internment for various civilian groups under the Vichy regime.
- Being a key location in the study of 20th-century European refugee and internment history.
- Its role in highlighting the humanitarian crisis during Worldarrative.
- Its connection to the broader narrative of French collaboration and resistance during the Holocaust.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Gurs is a commune located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. Its geographical coordinates are approximately latitude 43.2872 and longitude -0.7536. The commune is part of the administrative structure of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Prior to March 2015, it was part of the canton of Navarrenx, a former administrative division.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Gurs has remained relatively small and stable over recent years. Historical data indicates a range between 417 and 482 residents. Specific population figures include:
- 430
- 419
- 417

### Historical Significance: The Gurs Internment Camp
Gurs is most notably recognized for the Gurs internment camp, established in 1939. Initially created to house Spanish Republican refugees fleeing the end of the Spanish Civil War, the camp was later repurposed by the Vichy regime during Worldarrative. It became a detention site for various groups, including political prisoners, foreign nationals, and Jewish individuals. The camp operated until 1946 and is remembered as one of the first and largest internment camps in France. It played a significant role in the broader context of refugee detention and the Holocaust in Europe.

### Administrative Context
As a commune in France, Gurs is part of the country's municipal structure. It is affiliated with:
- **Arrondissement**: Oloron-Sainte-Marie
- **Former Canton**: Navarrenx (until March 2015)
- **Department**: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
- **Region**: Nouvelle-Aquitaine

### Related Entities and Connections
- **Gurs Internment Camp**: A major historical entity directly tied to the commune, operational from 1939 to 1946.
- **Canton of Navarrenx**: Former administrative division to which Gurs belonged until 2015.
- **Arrondissement of Oloron-Sainte-Marie**: The larger administrative unit overseeing Gurs.
- **Pyrénées-Atlantiques**: The department in which Gurs is located.
- **France**: The sovereign state under whose jurisdiction Gurs falls.

### Cultural and Educational Resources
Gurs is documented through historical and educational resources, including:
- **Website**: [https://www.intramuros.org/gurs](https://www.intramuros.org/gurs), which provides detailed historical accounts and archival materials related to the internment camp.
- **Wikipedia Entry**: The commune has a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Gurs."
- **Wikidata Profile**: Contains structured data on its location, population, and historical context.

### Legacy and Commemoration
The legacy of Gurs is preserved through historical research, commemorative efforts, and educational initiatives. The internment camp is a subject of study in understanding the treatment of refugees and minorities during wartime. Its history serves as a case study in human rights, internment policies, and the consequences of political upheaval in 20th-century Europe.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
26. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File